What to do when a leader is stuck?
One of the high points in coaching is helping a leader that is stuck, who needs help to get unstuck. It could be a real challenging problem that your client is confronted with. They have considered the more obvious solutions but need a guide to help them tap into the less obvious strategies. Transitions in ministry, vocational opportunities, and unforeseen changes in life and work are ripe seasons to exercise your client’s creative thinking muscles.
It is easy for leaders to allow their vision to become myopic. Without your assistance they will continue to repeat the same solution – expecting different results. You know what this leads to – insanity! They need a different perspective so that they can generate new solutions.
An Example
Here is an example that is probably in an arena you have little knowledge in; but will serve as a helpful way to help your clients get unstuck by thinking outside the box.
The problem landed in my wife’s lap a few months ago. I was getting ready to participate in the Lausanne Congress in Seoul, Korea. Just before I left, my wife met with the owner of the faith-based, Christian yoga studio she was employed at. The conversation was difficult – financial restraints had become so great that the studio was shutting down. My wife had poured her heart and soul into the business which had a social component to it, that is, to help single moms in need. Bummer!
Through several conversations, reflecting on the situation and a lot of prayer, Gina determined to make the most of the opportunity that she was presented with. Instead of retreating she decided to lean-in to what God had in store and open up her own Christian yoga studio. But she needed to move fast because she only had a week before the announcement was made and people would begin to make decisions to go elsewhere. So she pulled-up her big girl pants and began the intense work of setting up shop in our backyard: insurance, prospect list, scheduling classes, creating a communication plan, payment processing, etc, were imagined and put in place.
The heavy lifting was done by my wife. I simply facilitated her creative thinking process and helped her channel that energy into the most fruitful areas.
But how can you strengthen a leader’s ability to think creatively?
Inspiration for Creativity
Walt Disney was a Creative. In his book “The Wisdom of Walt: Leadership Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth” by Jeffrey Barnes writes about the dream Walt had of creating a place for his girls to play while sitting on a bench in Griffith Park.
“Griffith Park, the ‘Central Park of Los Angeles,’ allows both proximity and perspective. It is nestled high on a hill that sits between downtown L.A., Hollywood, and the Disney Studio in Burbank.”
It makes me wonder how ideas come to people. Walt was reflecting, thinking, day-dreaming! Then he began to wonder.
“There should be a place where children and parents can have fun together.” And in that moment, the dream of Disneyland was born.
This is the beginning of a wonderful journey that eventually led to a family-friendly theme park, like no other on the planet. The author continues:
“Have you ever done that? Have you ever been sitting somewhere, doing ‘nothing,’ and suddenly, an idea comes to you? An idea “pops” into your head, and your imagination begins to run wild with possibilities. Suddenly, you, like Walt, have a dream.”
Learning Creativity
Each of us has the capacity to dream, be creative, and innovative. Creativity & Innovation can be nurtured, developed, and flourish. There is always room for improvement but the innate ability to think differently than others, is part of our make-up; that is, being made in the image of God.
How do you intentionally develop your creativity and innovative ideas?
On my calendar I have blocked-out a weekly block of time called “White Space”. During this time I am committed to dream about the future. Things that I would like to see happen. Problems that need to be solved. Different ways of seeing things.
7 Questions to help you develop your ability to think outside the box!
1. What is a real problem you are currently facing?
It may sound counterproductive but helping your client identify problem areas can actually jumpstart creativity. Innovation ministry (or any workplace) looks a lot like creative problem solving. After all, necessity is the birthplace of invention.
2. What ideas do you have to address it?
Sometimes brainstorming is met with prolonged silence. If that happens, try throwing out ridiculous ideas to loosen the mood.
3. How would each of these play out?
Take the time to think through what it would look like realistically if you implemented each idea. Think through obstacles, pros and cons.
4. What other solutions can you come up with?
Even if the first idea was good, maybe there is an even better idea! Guide your client to think through the holes in their ideas and continue to nudge them for improvements.
5. Now come up with three more?
It’s always good to let ideas marinate. Even if it’s urgent, have them take a day or two to think it through. It’s important to run an idea by those who will be impacted or at least charged with carrying out the changes. Remind them to listen well. Collaboration makes for more effective outcomes.
6. When you look at the possibilities, which ones are most compelling?
This is a good time for a motive check. Make sure the ideas align with mission, vision, and values.
7. If you could select the best option, which one would you choose?
Changes will be met with resistance—they always are. Be sure your client has thought through potential pushback and is prepared to explain the necessity for change and the benefits.
How to help your clients develop innovation & creativity
- Have you wondered how to help your clients develop their creativity?
- Are you aware of the skills that facilitate innovation?
- Where would you start if you were interested in growing your creativity & innovation quotient?
Below are three resources that can help you help your clients, develop their creativity and innovation!
Tap into your client’s ability to innovate!
Creativity & Innovation Skill Builder PDF Booklet
Human creativity or innovation, a very large and complex subject area, is the subject of considerable debate concerning what it is and how it is applied. One definition holds that to be creative or innovative is to be original, imaginative, expressive, ground-breaking, inventive, and idea-generative. The problem with all of the above creativity labels is that these are context-sensitive or relative terms. In other words, we can only be truly creative if we have an alternative or a different perspective than everyone else, particularly when most people think the same way. This Creativity & Innovation Skill Builder PDF Booklet takes a different position. It asserts that every person has the potential to be creative and that we can therefore all improve our skills in this critical area.
Storyboards provide a visual “line of sight” through a development topic. This ministry-specific storyboard on Creativity and Innovation addresses the following Development Outcomes and Learning Objectives.
- Identify the four stages of effective Creativity and Innovation (Initiate, Develop, Evolve and Action).
- Discover that increased creativity and innovation is possible for every individual.
- Learn how to increase your levels of curiosity and break traditional thinking patterns.
- Apply strategies to ensure that good ideas and creative thought succeed through high levels of persistence.Storyboard Headings
Although some people are naturally more creative or innovative than others, we all have the potential to increase our overall levels of creativity. This then creates better outcomes for ourselves or the organization of which we are a part.
Creativity and Innovation Effectiveness Profile
The Creativity and Innovation Effectiveness Profile provides a detailed process for assessing an individual’s existing capacity to be creative. This is done by measuring creativity and innovation in seven competency categories, including:
- Creative consciousness
- Level of curiosity
- Pattern breaking skills
- Idea nurturing ability
- Reading Nonverbal Clues
- Willingness to experiment and take risks
- Courage and resilience level
- Energetic persistence
Participants receive a personalized report of resulting including a histogram chart for each category. This quickly shows where efforts to improve should be concentrated in the future. Detailed interpretation notes and development suggestions are included for each category.